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Storyboard Text

Down with the King! His power is being destroyed, just as the Bastille!

It all started in France. The King of France needed more money because France was in a financial crisis. France is separated into three Estates: First Estate (the Clergies), Second Estate (the Nobles), and the Third Estate (the Peasants). The King tried to tax the Second Estate, to try and get out of debt but the Second Estate refused to pay it until the Estates General met. The Estates General hadn't met for 175 years! So, the Meeting of the Estates General occurred. Each Estate sat separate, each one gets a vote, and they vote by order. This has many similarities to Democracy, and it actually plays a key role in the rise of Democracy. For example, Representatives meet, they make sure everyone's voice is heard, and the voting system is pretty equal.

The March on Versailles

We need more food! We have children, too!

During the Meeting of the Estates General, the King said stuff wouldn't change so the Third Estate refused to meet with him. Well, they ended up getting locked out of the meeting room so they found an indoor tennis court to hold their meeting. The Third Estate said they wanted a break from tradition so they changed they name to the National Assembly and they pledged to write the new Constitution for France, the Constitution of 1791. This helps in the rise of Democracy because of the writing of a Constitution with a balanced power of government, where the government is "run by the people, for the people".

﻿The Reign of Terror

Why?! Why is this happening?!?

People were getting fed up with the King and Queen so a mob attacked the Bastille on July 14, 1789 to get gunpowder. They killed guards, released prisoners, and this is just the start of the revolution. The mob, as a symbol of the King's power, destroyed the Bastille by taking it apart brick by brick. People wanted a new and better government because they were unsatisfied with their current one. There was no more trust in the King and this is what helped with the rise in Democracy.

The Rise of Napoleon

﻿Psh... I'm so good, I can crown myself!

People were starving and getting tired of it.﻿ 7,000 angry women marched to the Palace of Versailles to demand more bread for their children and to try to kill the Queen. The King promised to meet with the women and distribute bread to them but he was caught trying to escape France with his family. This helps with the rise of Democracy because people are overthrowing a government that isn't providing or protecting and trying to get a government with equal rights.

﻿In the time 1792- 1794, 4,000 people were executed with the guillotine just within those two years. The King had been found of treason and he had been hung, France became a republic. Robespierre- the leader of the National Convention- had his reign end with his execution. This all helps to the rise of Democracy because there was more freedom to the people and the terror had finally ended, so the people can run government without fear.

Finally, it all {kinda} ends with the Rise of a -little- guy named Napoleon. He started as a military leader, then he joined the directory, then declared himself dictator for life. He named himself as Emperor and continued with the reforms of the revolution except he did limit the freedom of speech and press. As ruler, he increased the French Empire and had military success until he tried to conquer Russia. This affects the rise of Democracy because people needed a leader in this time. Also, it showed knowledge is more important than your family status.